Perry among righteous four tapped by Iowa activist

The Texas governor is one of four GOP presidential candidates to receive the coveted tap of the scepter from Iowa kingmaker Bob Vander Plaats, the conservative Christian activist who helped propel evangelical favorite Mike Huckabee to victory in the 2008 Iowa Caucus. (It just hit me that “coveted” may not be the appropriate word in light of the Tenth Commandment.)

In a statement released this morning by Vander Plaats’ organization, the Family Leader, the activist and unsuccessful candidate for Iowa governor said that the board of directors “had a very healthy discussion tonight regarding our leadership role in the 2012 presidential caucuses.” Although the board is “still praying for clarity on whether or not to endorse a candidate and, if they endorse, who to endorse,” its seven members did decide whom not to endorse. Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Atlanta businessmen Herman Cain were cast out.

Paul was judged unworthy, Vander Plaats explained, because of his state’s rights perspective “as it pertains to the sanctity of human life and God’s design for marriage.” About Cain, Vander Plaats was a bit more cryptic, noting that “the board cited a narrative of questions versus clarity on the key issues of life, marriage, foreign policy and presidential readiness.” I suppose that means that board members were as murky about where the former pizza executive stands as Cain himself seems to be.

“The board did not give consideration to Governor Romney,” the statement said. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman was neither invited to last Saturday’s “Thanksgiving Family Forum” in Des Moines or considered for endorsement. The former Utah governor wasn’t cast into outer darkness; as far as the board is concerned, it seems, he was already there.

That leaves a gospel quartet comprised of Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Perry.

All four “have many presidential traits that will serve our great country well,” Vander Plaats said.